Port Jervis, NY – On Thursday, November 11, residents, staff, guests and members of the Family Council for St. Joseph’s Place, a long term care facility at Bon Secours Community Hospital, celebrated the grand opening of the facility’s completely renovated resident Sun Porch. The glass enclosed sunroom and adjacent terrace overlooks the mountains and greenery surrounding the City of Port Jervis.

The official ceremony began with an invocation by Debra Sheridan, director of Pastoral Care. Then just before the ribbon cutting, St. Joseph’s Place Administrator Lisa Brocky welcomed everyone and thanked all those who played an important roll in the extensive renovation. She also pointed out that the residents were also involved in the project and had even voted for the colors and for the chair materials.

“This project began 15 years ago with a donation from a gentleman by the name of Sol Workenberg who wanted to enclose this area for a four seasons room,” she explained. “We were told it would never get done. It has been done and we would like to thank everyone who made various in-kind donations throughout the years.”

Brocky named those deserving special recognition including the staff and members of the Family Council for St. Joseph’s Place who had conducted various fundraisers to help make the construction and the purchase of new furniture possible.

“Among others I would especially like to thank the Foundation, our Executive Council, Susan Krause and Royal Furniture and Liam Design,” she added. “Everyone’s contribution has enriched our nursing home for the enjoyment and comfort of our residents. We are very grateful.”

Anneliese Lepom, a resident and also accomplished artist, contributed her own painting to the project. She was given the honor of cutting the ribbon and officially opening the sun porch. Guests were then invited to tour the sunroom, taking notice of the attractive new furniture and other appointments.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, visitors and guests were invited to the facility’s Silver Fox dining room for refreshments.

St. Joseph’s Place long-term care at Bon Secours Community Hospital is a 46-bed skilled nursing facility that provides professional care in an interdisciplinary approach to meeting the medical, personal, spiritual and social needs of each of its residents.

They are encouraged to participate in a wide array of activities including gardening, games, music, arts & crafts, education, and fitness programs. Residents also enjoy group day trips and outings to local restaurants. In addition, many local groups and organizations regularly visit St. Joseph’s Place and help to keep residents involved and in touch with their community.

St. Joseph’s Place is located on the first floor of Bon Secours Community Hospital, 160 E. Main St., providing residents with easy, ready access to the hospital’s medical facilities and staff.

Bon Secours Charity Health System includes three New York hospitals: Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis; Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern; and St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick. Bon Secours Charity Health System provides the region's only open-heart surgical center at its Suffern campus and the services of a Certified Home Health Agency, two long-term care facilities, an assisted-living and adult-home facility, and several other community based medical programs. It serves over half a million people in seven counties and three states. Bon Secours Charity Health System is a member of the Bon Secours Health System, Inc., based in Marriottsville, Maryland which is a not-for-profit Catholic health system employing more than 20,000 caregivers in seven states. For more information visit www.bschs.org

The official ceremony began with an invocation by Debra Sheridan (far left), director of Pastoral Care.

Anneliese Lepom, a resident and also accomplished artist who contributed her painting to

the project, was given the honor of cutting the ribbon and officially opening the sun porch.

Anneliese Lepom, a resident and also accomplished artist who contributed her painting to the project, poses in the newly renovated sun porch with her daughters Heide DeVore (left) and Brigitte Hessberger. Both are residents of Port Jervis.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, visitors and guests were invited to the facility’s Silver Fox dining room for refreshments.